In a vacuum, if somebody told you that one of these quarterbacks is in the Hall of Fame, then it would seem natural that the other quarterback should also be headed to Canton.

Quarterback A is Kurt Warner. The former St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals quarterback is part of the most recent Pro Football Hall of Fame class, alongside some notable names such as former running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Warner, 46, is absolutely deserving of his place in the Hall of Fame. Nobody’s disputing that.

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Quarterback B is Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. Assuming he stays healthy this year, he should surpass Warner’s touchdown totals. He’s already surpassed Warner in terms of passing yards, and has won just as many Super Bowls.

And yet nobody outside of the Baltimore sports bar scene would ever suggest that Flacco is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Of course, the argument that the two played in different eras could be made. Warner played in a time where defensive backs could hold and jockey for position much more physically than they can now. But the Hall of Fame differentiates only between the modern and pre-modern eras of football. You won’t find any caveats for post- and pre-rule changes.

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One hundred years from now, long after Flacco is done playing and finishes his career with 40,000 passing yards and 280 touchdowns, how could anyone deny him his place in the Hall of Fame?

Herein lies the problem. With the rules changes in football, it’s easier than ever for a quarterback to excel. And that could put the Hall of Fame on the verge of being extremely diluted.

It’s supposed to be the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Very Good.

For some players, it’s a no-brainer. Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers will all deservedly have their busts in Canton.

But what about the players who are merely pretty good in an era where it’s easier than ever to throw the football?

Joe Flacco, Eli Manning and Matt Stafford will all have very strong statistical cases for being in the Hall of Fame one day. But should they be?

The Hall of Fame is a celebration of football’s very best. It should be the ultimate endgame for any and all football players. The Hall of Fame will be the only way that future generations will be able to glean anything about professional football’s storied past.

Do we really want them to think that Joe Flacco was just as good as Kurt Warner?